'Emmerdale' actress speaks out over exit

Sapphire Elia has responded to rumours surrounding her forthcoming departure from Emmerdale, dismissing claims that she was 'axed' from the soap.

Last weekend, it was revealed that the actress's character Mia Macey will be leaving the village towards the end of the year. She is expected to remain on screen until October.

In a new YouTube video addressing her fans, Elia insisted that she understands the decision to write out Mia for storyline reasons.

Discussing an early report which revealed her departure, Elia commented: "It said that I'd been axed from the show and I'm really upset. Well, that's not entirely accurate. I am leaving the show as a result of my character's departure. I don't like the word 'axed', I just think it's a bit of a harsh word to use. 'Axed' to me means 'sacked' - just gone or you get killed off straight away.

"It's not that. It's a great storyline over the summer that I'm filming at the moment… I'm really happy about the storyline, I'm really happy with the work that we're doing and I just think, 'I'm an actor - this is what we do'.

"We don't all stay in one job forever. That's the whole beauty of being an actor - you get to play other characters, you're moving on, moving around doing as many different roles as possible. So although the doors are left open for my character's return - as the storyline unfolds you'll see why - I'm really, really excited about other projects. Onwards and upwards is just how I see it."

The actress also promised that there are "a lot of revelations" to come on screen before her character bows out.

Mia's current storyline sees her blissfully unaware that her mum Ella and boyfriend Adam are sleeping together.

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